Guardian Heroes

Review by: Nick Robertson

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Graphics - 9/10
Sound/Music - 10/10
Control - 9/10
Gameplay - 9/10
Overall - 9.5/10
Bottom line - Unless you absolutely hate action games, buy this game now.
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              * Graphics* - These graphics are great.  It is done in an
anime style and looks very true to the Japanese cartoons.  Actually, when
you play, it seems like you are controlling an animated film.  It is very
refreshing to play a game with superb animation (the animation is almost as
good as Night Warriors by CAPCOM) rather than polygons.  I have to admit,
you loose yourself in the action sometimes, but a quick jump will solve
that.  The backrounds are done wonderfully and have lots of paralax which
makes the experience all the more realistic.  This game takes full
advantage of the Saturn's color pallette.  The only downside is that some
of the larger characters get pixelly, but you'll hardly notice once you
start playing. - 9/10
             * Sound/Music* - The sounds and music are the best utilization
of the Saturn's sound system I've heard yet.  The music is CD quality (not
midi) and ranges from jazz, to Rock & Roll, to classic video game music. 
It really draws you into the experience.  The sound is perfect.  From the
grunts and yells, to the swords clanking, (yes, when you clash swords it
makes two noises!), the sounds fit the game perfectly. - 10/10
             * Control* - This is a sidescrolling fighter.  We all know how
to play those, but Treasure added something.  There are three planes you
can fight in.  You can switch between them freely.  It adds a 3-d element
to the game that becomes a natural strategy.  This is the most fun I've had
with a sidescroller in a long time. There are 8 buttons used, but it's
never confusing.  A-block, B-attack, C-strong attack, X-control undead
warrior, Y-next plane, Z-magic, L Shift-go a plane away, R Shift, go a
plane closer. 9/10   
             * Gameplay*- This game is deep.  It's an action game,
adventure game, and RPG all at once.  In story mode, you (and a friend)
pick from 4 characters -  the fighter, the sorcerer, the ninja, and the
cleric - and start on your quest.  During the levels, you fight up to 8
enemies at a time.  At the end of each level there is a boss.  After you
beat the boss the story unfolds and you are given choices on what you want
to do.  There are multiple endings, depending on which path you take.  This
makes for a great replay value.  In battle mode, you (and up to 6 others)
can pick from the four main heroes, and any enemy you have defeated, from
the bosses to civillians.  This can make for some interesting fights.  To
put it simply, this game is butt-kickin' fun. 9.5/10
                -This is one of the most underrated games I have ever
played.  It is my favorite game that I own.-(That's out of VF 2, Dragon
Force, Shining Wisdom, Datona USA, and Virtua Cop)